The 15 Spa & Hot Spring Days in Japan That Earn Their Price

1.Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 339 reviews · 10 hours · from $53Our pick

Travel from Osaka to Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden, Arima Onsen, and Mt. Rokko by air-conditioned bus. You get free time at each stop, an optional Japanese lunch, and help from English or Chinese-speaking guides such as Gary, Harry, and Nick.

“Nick is a great guide and made our day enjoyable. He speaks 4 languages and fluently hosted two groups. Himeji castle was amazing and a must see when in the area. Nick took the time to interact and converse personally with each person on the tour. His sense of humour just enhanced the tour. As a family of 4 we highly recommend Nick and his driver and the company. Nick made a good tour great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Nara and Uji Day Trip with Deer Park and Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 302 reviews · 10 hours · from $57

Travel from Osaka to Nara and Uji by air-conditioned coach with an English, Japanese, or Traditional Chinese-speaking guide. Feed deer, visit Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha, explore matcha-lined Uji, then bathe at Genji no Yu. Guides such as Etta, Ethan, and Lucia are known for lively, helpful commentary.

“Thank you so much for trip. Very good tour guy Liao. He explained very clear and easy to communicated.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Private Tour to Fuji/Hakone – Onsen, Art, Nature

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 10 hours · from $322Top rated

Spend 10 hours exploring Hakone and Fuji country in a private vehicle with guides such as Elie, Lenny, Evan, and Luca. Expect scenic viewpoints, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, a tattoo-friendly onsen, local food options, and time for the Open-Air Museum or Pola Museum.

“Loved our personalized Hakone day trip! It was a unique itinerary and the onsen was PERFECT!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Mt. Fuji, Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo – Onsen, Arts and Nature

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews

Travel by private vehicle from Tokyo with guides such as Elie, Lenny, Evan, Lucas, or Dominik. See Mt. Fuji viewpoints, Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi, and a 400-year-old tea house, then choose an onsen and museum. The day is flexible, but lunch, onsen, and museum tickets cost extra.

“Two nice, young foreigner guides(not Japanese) only two years living in Japan accompanied us. They were more than one hour LATE due to traffic (everyday raffic in Tokyo is well known, they should know) I was very excited to see Mt Fuji, this trip vowed to take us to unbeaten roads with less tourists and experience beautiful Hakone. They took us to a view point for Mt Fuji, yes no crowds but Mt Fuji is seen from afar..very far. You woould not feel the grandeur of this iconic mountain viewing it from a great distance! And that was it for the Mt Fuji feature. Lake Ashi was also a view…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Mount Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, and Shrine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 72 reviews · 10 hours · from $50

Travel from Fukuoka to Mount Aso’s volcanic crater, Kusasenri grassland, Aso Shrine, and Kurokawa Onsen. Your guide explains the sights in English, Japanese, Korean, or Traditional Chinese. The $50 price covers transport and guiding, while lunch, hot spring entry, museum admission, and horseback riding cost extra.

“Given sufficient time at each spot, tour guides were professional, provided informative tips & info.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Spend about eight hours exploring Nagano with a private English-speaking guide such as Hori, Mutsumi, or Horiuchi-san. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji, and Obuse, with time for sake, local food, the Hokusai Museum, or an onsen. Hotel pickup is available from selected central Nagano hotels.

“Our tour guide was Hori and he was absolutely fantastic! His knowledge of the area and history behind everything was great. Our experience was so much fun. The hike was icy when we went in March so I definitely recommend having gooRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Mt Takao Tour with Ramen and Tattoo-Okay Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 8 hours · from $120

Join English-speaking guide Jordan for an eight-hour small-group outing from Takaosanguchi Station. Ride the cable car, visit the monkey park, hike Mt. Takao, eat Hachioji ramen or soba, see Yakuou-in, and unwind at a tattoo-friendly natural hot spring.

“The Mt Takao tour was absolutely wonderful. It was a very personal experience with a knowledgeable guide. Jordan knew so much about the mountain and the local area. From the monkeys, to the hike, to the onsen, the entire experience felt like a much needed getaway from the city. My favorite part of the tour was the onsen with many different springs to choose from. But there is something for everyone!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $78

Join guides such as Tommy, Tome, Rossella, or Shinji for a 4.5-hour outing from Iiyama or Nozawa. Walk 2 kilometers through cedar forest to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, then visit Shibu Onsen and a sake brewery. Priority entry, WiFi, transport, and park admission are included.

“I really enjoy the tour, going to see the snow monkeys but also a little japanese village was a great experience. The guide was very nice and knowlegeable. If you have little time, I definitely recommend it. I have already recommend to my colleagues, as when we are in Tokyo, we spend only 2 nights.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.[Seasonal Limited] Mt. Fuji 5th Station &Hot Spring Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 1 day · from $50

Travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, Oshino Hakkai’s clear spring ponds, and Konohananoyu Onsen. You’ll get photo stops, free time, and a relaxing bath, with a weekday choice between the onsen and Gotemba Premium Outlets. Guide assignments may include Anna, Ken, Coco, or Jacob.

“Bus was basic Middle stop was tourist trap- far too busy to enjoy We’d booked for Onsen (3rd element), but this seemed an afterthought, as all except us were on for shopping at Gotemba as 3rd element”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Solaniwa Onsen Hot Spring Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 51 reviews · 1 day · from $14

Spend a full day at Solaniwa Onsen in Osaka Bay Tower, with access to nine natural hot-spring baths, saunas, scrubbers, footbaths, and the 3,000-square-meter Tenku Garden. The slightly alkaline water rises from 1,000 meters underground, while the garden adds seasonal flowers, waterfalls, and a thousand torii gates.

“Love this family friendly onsen. Couldn’t work out how to get the lunch that we bought with our ticket and ended up having to purchase it again but overall we still would recommend the experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 4 hours · from $80

Leave Kyoto by train for a guided hike through Kurama’s cedar forest. Visit Kurama Temple and Kibune Shrine, hear local legends, and finish in Kurama village, where you can eat, stroll, or use the mountain hot spring. Guides speak English or French, with private and small-group options.

“Amazing time with Eric! He was very knowledgeable and a great guy to spend the day with. We would do this trip again in a heartbeat! Beautiful scenery and wonderful area of Kyoto!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Mt. Aso Volcano & Kurokawa Onsen Scenic Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 37 reviews · 10 hours · from $90

Leave Fukuoka by comfortable van for Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, Mt. Aso, Kusasenri, and Kurokawa Onsen. An English or Chinese-speaking guide, including guides such as Daisy, leads this long day through volcanic scenery and traditional hot-spring country. Bath fees, meals, and attraction costs are extra.

“Amazing trip. Excellent guide and well Organized. Places we have visited were indeed the highlights of our trip. Strongly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Osaka Temple Head Spa &Matcha Facial – Refresh & Glow〈90min〉

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 2 hours · from $141

Spend about two hours at an Osaka temple for a welcome drink, yukata change, incense ritual, meditation, foot bath, scalp massage, matcha facial, tea ceremony, and complimentary smartphone photos. Treatment groups are limited to three, though the tea ceremony may include other guests.

“The overall experience was amazing from the start to finish. The two ladies were very welcoming and accommodating. Would recommend to anyone looking for relaxation while in Osaka.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Wakayama Cat Train, Seafood market, Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 24 reviews · 10 hours · from $83

From Osaka, guide Tiger or another multilingual guide leads a 10-hour Wakayama day trip by air-conditioned coach. You’ll ride a Tama-themed train, visit Kishi Station, eat at ToreTore Market, and see Senjojiki and Sandanbeki. Hot spring entry and cave admission cost extra.

“The day trip with TIGER our guide was FANTASTIC! Easy to meet location, Tiger was constantly updating us via What’sApp in English & Chinese, a comfortable and spacious coach for us to travel in, a cat station master delight, delicious & fresh seafood lunch at the open air seafood market, perfect views from the cliffs the perfect way to walk off your lunch! TIGER made us feel welcome and shared with us fascinating information & stories of each place we visited. A fantastic tour with scenes of the port and small city living - only 2 hours from Osaka City. Highly recommended to anyone of all ages and mobility. Thank…”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Kowakien Yunessun Hot Springs Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 23 reviews · 1 day · from $8

Spend a full day at Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, where swimsuit-friendly pools meet Japanese hot spring bathing. Try wine, coffee, green tea, and sake baths, then relax in Mori no Yu if your ticket includes it. Families get water play areas, while adults can enjoy outdoor baths, mountain views, caves, and a dry sauna.

“++Liked Hot spring outdoor, variety, hours, facilities- locker rooms, showers, etc. - -I thought it’s a variety of hot springs, but it was just 1 (one) hot spring outdoor in a waterpark, hence lots of children, whereas I expected peace & relaxation thruout.. The indoor multi-theme hot pools all smelled alike (chlorine); did not really smell like wine, beer, sake, coffee, etc. only slight aroma. But good value for the price.”

Check availability →Read our full review